n HBV leads to liver cancer u epidemiologic correlation in many populations u risk for HCC is 12-300 times greater in HBsAg+ persons u HBV DNA is incorporated into DNA of hepatoma cells n Incidence u peak incidence is in 40-60 yr olds u in Taiwan, #1 cause of death for men >40 yrs u 0.25-1 million deaths/year in the world u over 1500 persons die/yr in the U.S. from HCC u HCC is 3-4x more common in HBsAg+ men than women